Solar Panel Cost Guide in Northridge, OH (Mar 2023)
- Northridge Solar Installation Cost: $13,350
- 25-Year Savings: $11,767
- Payback Period: 13.3 Years
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Updated March 14, 2023
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Average Cost of Solar Panels in Northridge
Find out what the average cost of solar panel installation is in Northridge.
In Northridge, solar panels cost about 2.56 per watt on average. The average Northridge homeowner needs a 7.5-kilowatt system, which would cost about $13,350 with the federal tax credit, or $19,090 before the 30% tax credit is applied.
Keep in mind that the numbers above are only averages. The price you'll pay for solar may look quite different based on your household energy needs, the type of solar panels you choose, your solar contractor and more. Even with the high initial cost, the average Northridge homeowner can save about $13,000 on their energy bills over 20 years, which is one of the positives of solar.
To receive a free estimate from a top solar company in Northridge, you can click the button below.
Solar savings over time in Northridge
| Year | Return on Investment |
|---|---|
| 1 years | $-12,346 |
| 3 years | $-10,336 |
| 5 years | $-8,327 |
| 7 years | $-6,318 |
| 9 years | $-4,308 |
| 11 years | $-2,299 |
| 13 years | $-290 |
| 15 years | $1,720 |
| 17 years | $3,729 |
| 19 years | $5,739 |
| 21 years | $7,748 |
| 23 years | $9,757 |
| 25 years | $11,767 |
Top Solar Installers in Northridge
Although you can install solar panels on your own, it takes extra effort and knowledge. For that reason, almost all homeowners choose to go with a solar panel installer. A solar installer can also help save you money over time by offering warranties, repairs and system component replacements.
There are several licensed solar professionals that can take care of your solar installation project. Here are our suggestions:
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
See all of the solar companies in Northridge
Factors that Affect Solar Panel Costs in Northridge
Cost is typically one of the most important factors for homeowners who are considering investing in solar. There are a few major factors that affect your total cost in Northridge: solar equipment and system size, financing options and the solar installation company you choose. We'll discuss each of these briefly below.
Solar Equipment
The size of the solar energy system you need to offset your energy usage, which is measured in kilowatts, is the most important cost factor to consider. For every additional kilowatt you need, your total will most likely increase by about $2,560. The kind of solar panels and equipment you want is another factor that will significantly influence costs. Solar panels that have higher efficiency, like monocrystalline panels, tend to be more costly. Furthermore, solar equipment goes beyond just the solar panels themselves. You'll also need to consider the kind of racks used to mount the panels, inverters, solar batteries, etc. It's important to take all of this into consideration when researching a solar system that falls within your budget.
Solar Financing Terms
If paying for solar panels in cash is too expensive, solar loans are a popular route because they cut back your upfront costs and allow you to pay for your system over five to seven years on average. When considering your overall cost, you should also calculate the interest you'll pay if you opt for a solar loan. Also, paying more upfront can lower the total interest paid over time.
Solar Panel Installation Company
The solar panel installer you pick will influence your total cost to make the switch to solar power. Different companies will bill different amounts for the equipment and labor. The company's size sometimes plays the most considerable role in your costs. Larger national companies, like SunPro and Sunrun, often have lower pricing because they have access to greater resources and better pricing. Smaller local companies might be more costly, but they generally have better customer service and more customization options, and the occasional sale or discount can bring their pricing lower to compete with bigger names.
Solar Panel Cost Data by System Size
| System size | Cost per system watt | Solar system cost | 25-Year savings | Payback period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 kW | $2.66 | $11,182 | $9,050 | 13.8 years |
| 8 kW | $2.61 | $14,623 | $12,353 | 13.6 years |
| 10 kW | $2.56 | $17,920 | $15,800 | 13.3 years |
| 12 kW | $2.51 | $21,074 | $19,390 | 13.0 years |
| 14 kW | $2.46 | $24,084 | $23,123 | 12.8 years |
| 16 kW | $2.41 | $26,952 | $27,000 | 12.5 years |
| 18 kW | $2.36 | $29,676 | $31,020 | 12.2 years |
| 20 kW | $2.30 | $32,256 | $35,183 | 12.0 years |
How to Save on Solar Panels
The solar company you go with will be a major factor in determining not only your total costs, but also the types of solar panel brands, warranties, and other equipment you can get. When choosing a solar company, there are some important things you should consider, including:
- Reputation: Your solar installer should have a good reputation as a company and have verifiable expertise in the field. A couple of ways to check this are to look for whether a company has technicians that hold a certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) and if it has good reviews from past customers.
- Contract: Although reading through a contract can be tedious, it's important to do it fully so you can be sure you understand what services your solar company will provide and the terms of the warranty.
- Warranty: A comprehensive, long-term warranty can help keep your solar panels running for a long time and save you money on part replacement and repairs.
- Solar Panel Brands: Each solar panel brand and model offers varying levels of quality, durability and efficiency. They will come at different price points as well. The company you choose impacts which solar panel brands you have access to.
Best Solar Financing
Blue Raven Solar
- Industry-leading in-house financing
- Competitive pricing
- Excellent reputation
- Doesn't offer solar batteries (coming 2022)
Best Technology
Tesla Energy
- Price-match guarantee
- Sleek, efficient, and durable solar panels
- Best solar battery on the market
- Some reported issues with customer service
- Customer service varies by local dealer
EcoWatch's Northridge, OH Solar Cost FAQs
How much does it cost to install solar panels in Northridge?
This is a tough question to answer exactly, because the cost depends on a few different factors. Broadly speaking, it costs about $12,800 for a 5-kW system and $25,600 for a 10-kW system after the ITC is applied. You can expect to pay more if you want other solar equipment or more efficient panels, or if you have above-average energy needs. On the flip side, you can spend less if you opt for a smaller solar panel system or less expensive solar panels.
Is it better to lease or buy solar panels in Northridge?
Leasing solar panels can be an option if you can't afford to pay upfront or secure a solar loan, but since you don't own the system, you don't have access to many solar incentives. Also your property value won't increase, so you'll have less savings over time. If you can afford to buy a solar system upfront, then buying is the better option if you want the most savings from going solar.
Do solar panels increase your home value?
Solar panels can increase the value of your property by about 4%, according to research done by Zillow. The average home value in Northridge is currently $131,438, so you can expect a value of about $5,389 more than houses without a solar system. The specific figures will vary, but most experts agree that installing solar panels in Northridge is a fruitful investment.
What solar power system size is right for my home?
The exact number of solar panels you need depends on your household energy consumption and the average daily sunlight your roof gets. You can look at your energy bills for the past year to get an idea of the solar system size you'll need. The average household has to buy between 20 and 35 panels to cover their typical energy usage.
Our goal is to reach as many people as we can with sensible solutions like solar energy. Our team of full-time local researchers collects solar price and installation data for every city in America then compiles it to create these digestible city guides. If you want to read our solar expert's opinion on the top solar companies featured here, follow this link.
Company research was conducted by Melissa Smith and Karsten Neumeister. Local data analysis was conducted by James Savino. See something we missed or could do better? Email the editor.